HBO Max just released the first teaser for Mindy Kaling's upcoming adult animated series Velma. Based on the beloved character of the same name from the classic Scooby-Doo cartoons, the show aims to offer a new perspective on an old standard. But Velma herself may not be a particularly big fan of said changes.
The character of Velma has been enjoying a bit of a renaissance of her own. With the recent confirmation that she is, in fact, a lesbian and the less praiseworthy issue of her rather problematic (but now fixed) police-centric move in MultiVersus, Velma is currently no stranger to the headlines. Now, with Kaling serving as a voice actress and executive producer, the expert sleuth is back. However, the vibes this time around are very much not of the child-friendly sort.
The trailer, posted on HBO Max's YouTube channel, shows a teenage Velma Dinkley sending a threatening text to the streaming service expressing her distaste at a similar (albeit fictional) project that aims to tell the story of Judy Jetson of The Jetsons. As she reads her message aloud, a mysterious knife-wielding figure is seen sneaking into her house. The figure then calls her from inside, with Velma reacting with approval at how classic tropes like "the killer is calling from inside the house" still work, a mindset that quickly shifts when the reality of the situation sinks in. She turns and sees the killer, ending the teaser with a splash of blood on the window.
Aside from the likely misdirecting implication that Velma is brutally killed in the teaser itself, there's a pretty self-aware vibe here. It gives off similar vibes to HBO Max's other hit animated series Harley Quinn, which balances self-aware humor with genuine heart in a surprising way for a show about a villain. It even expresses a probably accurate (unfortunately) prediction that some perpetually angry viewers will direct their ire at the fact that Velma is now portrayed as a South Asian girl. But Kaling had some words for them when she promoted the new series at New York Comic Con.
"I think of the characters in this are iconic but in no way …are they defined by their whiteness," Kaling said at the event. "Most Indian American [women], when they see skeptical, hardworking under-appreciated characters, they can identify with her. The vast majority are ready for it. This show is for them." More inclusivity is always a worthwhile goal, and there are precious few Indian women in lead roles these days, so any effort to help bridge that gap is appreciated.
Velma will also star Constance Wu as Daphne, Sam Richardson as Shaggy, and Glenn Howerton as Fred in a story that tells the origin of the mystery-solving gang from Scooby-Doo (minus Scooby-Doo himself, interestingly enough). The show is also set to bring in a number of guest stars as well, which is another element that feels akin to how Harley Quinn operates. Here's hoping Velma can capture the same magic that Harley and her crew regularly tap into.
Velma will stream on HBO Max in 2023.
Source: HBO Max/YouTube, New York Comic Con (via Deadline)